Partners Tout Lightweight Wheel Technology

ThyssenKrupp AG's Carbon Components unit and Iochpe-Maxion SA's Maxion Wheels business have inked a new cooperative agreement to develop and market lightweight wheels.

The new wheels, which are made from a mix of aluminum and carbon fiber, are as much as 40% lighter than high-performance forged aluminum wheels and provide greater design flexibility, according to the partners.

The new wheels will team ThyssenKrupp's carbon fiber expertise with Maxion's liquid-forged aluminum disc technology. The latter is less expensive than traditional forged wheels and offer the design flexibility of casted wheels, the partners claim.

They say the wheels have shown improved performance and damping characteristics during testing on public roads. The companies, which are working with Volkswagen Group to further develop and test the wheels, are targeting luxury and sports car applications.

Sao Paulo, Brazil-based Iochpe-Maxion formed Maxion Wheels when it purchased Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. in 2012. Based in Novi, Mich., Maxion describes itself as the auto industry's largest wheel maker.